Looks like bad luck comes in pairs… now my PowerMac G5 1.8 Ghz (1st generation) won’t turn on. Last night, while working in Adobe Photoshop, the computer just turned off. I’ve currently posted a topic over at the Apple discussion forums (G5 (1st generation) Randomly Shut Off ) but if anyone else has any ideas, please leave a comment!
To follow up my previous post about AppleCare, it looks like Apple is going to do the right thing. I phoned up Apple Customer Relations ( 1-800-767-2775 ) and explained my problem with their diagnosis, emphasizing that there was no way that the damage to the PowerBook 12″ screen could have been caused by accidental damage. After being forwarded around a bit, I spoke with an agent named Shirley who took charge of the situation. After making sure (for what seemed like twenty times) that I didn’t drop the PowerBook, she gave the San Francisco Apple Store a call to find out more. After being on hold for a few minutes, Shirley came back on the line and said that Apple would cover the repair as the technician (genius?) at the store would have known to mark accidental damage in the log before sending it in. So, if all goes to plan, I should have my PowerBook back by the end of the week. Fingers crossed :)
AppleCare and I have had quite a long relationship, ever since I purchased an iPod. Before August 2002, I’d never really had a problem with any of our computers. The Macintosh II that we owned lived for a very long time. In fact it was working perfectly when we decided it was taking up too much room and got rid of it. The Performa 5200/80 and Performa 6500/350 were also wonderful workhorses (although long obsolete). Even the PowerMac G4 Digital Audio we own (and still use today) has never had a problem, save the modem being destroyed by France Telecom’s faulty phone lines.
However, ever since my first generation iPod, I feel I’ve been dealing with AppleCare in one form or another (telephone, Apple genius, etc), at least bi-yearly. My first generation iPod was replaced two times before I finally caved in and purchased a third generation model. It didn’t take too long before that too began to have problems and was replaced. My current 4th generation one (knock on wood) has been a charm, but like the others, it’s too early to know whether it will have any problems as I’m still under warranty! In addition, my 1st generation PowerMac G5 also has had work done on it, having it’s logic board replaced, as well as, video card. However, Apple’s support for their pro-machine has been more than stellar - although I purchased the AppleCare extended warranty on it, I received on-site repair which had my machine fixed in about an hour. Plus, having telephone support on hand is also handy for simple questions that I might not know the answer to!
Phew! I’m back up at Hamilton now in muggy, hot upstate New York. I got back from San Francisco early yesterday and the change in weather was tough to get used to. San Francisco was mostly sunny and cool, with temperatures ranging from the mid 60s to low 70s. It rained but was never cold nor humid. Here, it’s hot and without air conditioning, quite unbearable. Anyway, I’m pretty glad to be back. Yesterday, after being picked up from Syracuse airport, John, Greg, and I headed out to the closest Wegmans grocery store and then after to Great Northern Pizzeria. Both were special, mostly as neither the pizza nor grocery stores near Utica are all that interesting or good. Afterwards, a quick trip to EMS and the Carousel Mall before returning to campus. It didn’t take me too long afterwards to fall asleep … for 13 hours. What can I say, I’d been up for 36+ hours.
WWDC in general was very good. The sessions were interesting and for the most part, people were happy to be there. The keynote left people somewhat disappointed - although it’s hard for Steve Jobs to wow us all the time. The activities, while less than before, were just as good. Stump the Experts and the Campus Bash were both amusing and it was good to meet up with people I’d seen last year. All in all, I’m very glad I ended up going and plan to apply for a scholarship for next year too.
I’ve posted my photo gallery from the trip and you can find them over in the pictures section of the site.
Ah! It’s pretty difficult to rely just on public terminals to have access to the internet. Perhaps I’ve been spoilt at Hamilton and at home with instant-demand Internet. Anyway, today is the last day of WWDC and in fact, the last day I’m in San Francisco. I fly out tonight on a red-eye flight to head back to Syracuse, arriving hopefully at 9:30 AM tomorrow in sunny - but hot - Syracuse. Morning and afternoon plans seems to have already been made and I hope I have enough energy to make a half-decent attempt at staying awake and being interested in what we do!
Yesterday, Day 4, was an interesting day at the conference. I attended more sessions on Core Data and a few on Web Kit. Great technology that I’m eagerly awaiting to use. In the afternoon, we lined up around 4:15 PM or so to wait for the buses to Apple’s Cupertino campus. Mathieu and I were able to get on the first bus to the campus, and as such, were the first to the Campus Store. Last year, I remember waiting almost two hours to enter. This year, there was no wait. Of course, I didn’t buy anything (even though they had 25% off on iSights, Airport Extreme and Express products, and 15% off iPods). Actually, I really didn’t need anything - I just want my PowerBook back … fixed. After the obligatory reading of t-shirts and other Apple memorabilia, we headed inside to the center where there was plenty of food and drinks, and to our surprise, The Wallflowers. I was perhaps one of … twenty or so who actually knew who they were. They played a pretty good set for about an hour and it was entirely enjoyable. We then spent the rest of the time mingling, talking with slightly inebriated students and developers, and then escaping on one of the buses back to San Francisco.
Today’s been a pretty laid back day. This morning I went to two feedback forums and listened to Apple developer’s complaining. The first was on Core Data and Cocoa and the second was on a topic more to my interest, Human Interface Design. Good stuff being brought up and it gave Apple quite a bit to think about. Lunch was had and then we got to listen to a developer for Pixar’s in-house team. He showed off some clips, demoed some programs, and inspired us to “Go Create Something Beautiful.” Great. Afternoon sessions (at least the one that I went to so far) seem to be a bit of a bore. I’m currently thinking about spending a few hours walking around downtown to get my last fill of San Francisco. We’ll see. Anyway, hopefully I’ll post some photos soon when I get back to campus. Till later…
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